Imagine a typical Friday night in the fall; students gathering to watch the football game in the cold weather and the marching band performing during halftime. Unfortunately however, because of the coronavirus, the marching band, like many other activities at Greendale High School, was unable to have their normal season. 

Usually, they attend several competitions and performances in the fall, but instead, they have been practicing virtually and are now starting to prepare for a new show in the spring. 

Since GHS went all virtual for much of semester one, band students were not able to practice in person at all. Rather, they were responsible for practicing by themselves and submitting videos playing their instrument. This was very different and something that the band had never had to do before. “I thought that I would actually have… band, you know? Instead, I am doing these online recording things that are not as much fun as band normally is, at least in middle school,” freshman flute player Chloe Hyatt said. 

Not only did the musicians have to keep practicing while online, but the color guard had to as well. They also could not practice in person but had Zoom practices instead. “After we transitioned to fully-virtual learning, we stuck to zoom call dance and stretches. I am excited to return to normal practice so that we can begin teaching more choreography,” junior color guard member Emma Leston said. 

However, since the start of second semester band students have been starting to prepare for a new spring show unlike any in the past. “Together Again” is the title of the show, which is fitting for the circumstances. ‘I’m looking forward to everyone being able to come together to produce this show and have some capacity of a marching band “season,” said Assistant Marching Band Director Liz Parsons. 

Many students are excited about this new show, and to have a little bit more normalcy. “I do really like the concept of the show. I like how we are reusing a prop from Echos of Earth (a past marching band show) in order to prepare a show in time,” Leston said. 

Seniors, however, are disappointed that they didn’t get to have a normal last season with competitions and traveling. “I’m really disappointed about not having a normal last season. I had such an amazing time last year and I was really looking forward to this year,” senior marching band member Paris Pavelchik said. 

Some students are also worried that it still won’t be safe. “I did hear about the show, but I don’t know if it will be safe to do a show by then, so I may not do it,” Hyatt said. 

However, the band will be taking many safety precautions. “The biggest safety precaution will be learning a lot of music online, playing instruments outside, and distancing as much as possible,” Parsons said. 

So, although the band season has been set back, this doesn’t stop students from improving and getting excited for the new show coming this spring.